"Does evolutionary theory need a rethink?" review


"Does evolutionary theory need a rethink?"

Nature, October 9, 2014, Kevin Laland, et Al. 

Introduction

Evolutionary theory has been around since Darwin 170 years ago. It has challenged our understanding of the living world and has had a profound impact on many other fields of science. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that our current understanding of evolution is incomplete. This has led some scientists to call for a rethink of evolutionary theory.

The extended evolutionary synthesis

One of the main challenges to traditional evolutionary theory comes from the field of epigenetics. Epigenetic changes are heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence itself as opposed to NeoDarwinism. Epigenetic changes can be caused by environmental factors, such as diet or stress.

Traditional evolutionary theory has focused on natural selection as the primary driver of evolution. Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with different traits. However, epigenetics suggests that there are other mechanisms of inheritance that can also play a role in evolution.

For example, epigenetic changes can be passed down from parents to offspring. This means that offspring can inherit traits from their parents that are not encoded in their DNA. This process is known as transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has been shown to play a role in a variety of traits in animals and plants. For example, in mice, exposure to a high-fat diet can lead to epigenetic changes that are passed down to offspring and increase the risk of obesity.

Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance suggests that there is a two-way relationship between genes and the environment. The environment can influence gene expression, and gene expression can influence the environment. This relationship is more complex than the traditional view of evolution, which sees the environment as simply providing the conditions for natural selection to operate.

Other challenges to traditional evolutionary theory

In addition to epigenetics, there are a number of other challenges to traditional evolutionary theory. For example, some scientists argue that natural selection is not sufficient to explain the evolution of complex traits, such as the human brain. Others argue that evolution can be influenced by factors such as cooperation and symbiosis, which are not traditionally considered to be evolutionary forces.

The need for a rethink

The evidence suggests that our current understanding of evolution is incomplete. We need to develop a new evolutionary synthesis that takes into account the latest evidence from epigenetics and other fields. This new synthesis needs to be able to explain the complex nature of evolution and the role of different mechanisms of inheritance.

What does a rethink of evolutionary theory mean for society?

A rethink of evolutionary theory could have a number of implications for society. For example, it could lead to new ways of thinking about human health and disease. It could also lead to new approaches to conservation and environmental management.

It is important to note that a rethink of evolutionary theory means that we need to expand our understanding of evolution to take into account the latest evidence.

Conclusion

Evolutionary theory is still widely held. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that our current understanding of evolution is incomplete. We need to develop a new evolutionary synthesis that takes into account the latest evidence from epigenetics and other fields. This new synthesis needs to be able to explain the complex nature of evolution and the role of different mechanisms of inheritance.

In addition to the above, here are some specific examples of how a rethink of evolutionary theory could impact science and society:

  • Medicine: A better understanding of the role of epigenetics in evolution could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating diseases. For example, epigenetic changes have been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

  • Conservation: A rethink of evolutionary theory could lead to new approaches to conservation and environmental management. For example, a better understanding of how transgenerational epigenetic inheritance works could help scientists to develop new strategies for protecting endangered species.

  • Agriculture: A rethink of evolutionary theory could lead to new approaches to agriculture. For example, a better understanding of how organisms adapt to environmental change could help farmers to develop crops that are more resistant to drought, pests, and diseases.

  • Education: A rethink of evolutionary theory could lead to new ways of teaching evolution in schools

Kevin Laland and colleagues argue that evolutionary theory needs to be revised urgently. They point to the growing number of biologists calling for change, as well as the strong support from allied disciplines such as developmental biology, genomics, epigenetics, ecology, and social science. The data supporting this revised view, also known as the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES), is growing stronger every day.

However, Laland and colleagues note that the mere mention of the EES often evokes an emotional, even hostile, reaction among evolutionary biologists. They argue that this may be due to a desire to show a united front in the face of those hostile to their long held beliefs.

Laland and colleagues believe that the EES will shed new light on how evolution works.

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